Diga di Santa Chiara

The Diga di Santa Chiara, designed by engineer Angelo Omodeo and built between 1918 and 1924, was Sardinia's first large reservoir and for a long time the biggest in Europe. It stands among the pioneering achievements of 20th-century European engineering. Its majestic arch structure still shapes the landscape today and gave the lake its name. Although the original structure has been replaced by a more modern Diga del Tirso since the 1990s, the old dam wall remains a fascinating testimony to the history of water management in Sardinia.

During the construction of the Diga di Santa Chiara, a settlement for workers and engineers also emerged. Today, it symbolically represents the island's development and its efforts to utilize its natural resources. Occasionally, when the water level of Lake Omodeo is very low, the top of a house reappears, a relic of the once submerged settlement, holding many secrets and stimulating the imagination.

The area around the Diga di Santa Chiara offers not only technical insights but also a charming landscape. Lake Omodeo is now an important habitat for birds and a popular destination for outdoor activities. Visitors can explore the remains of the old dam and marvel at the engineering that led to the creation of this artificial lake, before enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings.